The impact of digital literacy on personal health: Evidence from the China family panel study

BackgroundIn the digital era, digital literacy is a fundamental indicator of a nation's quality and plays a crucial role in public health. Exploring the theoretical mechanisms and effects of digital literacy on individuals' health is of great practical importance, advancing the initiatives of 'Digital China' and 'Healthy China'.MethodsThe study utilised three-period survey panel data from the China Family Panel Study spanning 2016, 2018, and 2020 to measure and evaluate levels of digital literacy, physical health, mental health, healthy lifestyle, and integrated health among the participants. Subsequently, a series of empirical analyses were conducted to examine the general impact, heterogeneous effects and transmission pathways of digital literacy on various types of health levels.ResultsDigital literacy significantly enhances all aspects of respondents' health, and this conclusion remains valid even after conducting robustness tests and addressing endogeneity through variable substitution and selecting instrumental variables using the 2SLS method. Furthermore, examining heterogeneity by considering individual traits and the makeup of digital literacy reveals that the impact of digital literacy on individuals' health varies according to age, cultural background, personal income, and the components of digital literacy. Pathway analyses also demonstrate that medical accessibility, information access, social network, and planned behaviour are key routes through which digital literacy enhances the health of the population.ConclusionsIt is imperative for the government to actively promote the advancement of the digital healthcare industry, while individuals should strive to enhance their digital literacy. By collectively focussing on these efforts, national health can be significantly improved. Data from the China Family Panel Study 2016, 2018 and 2020 with a panel dataset spanning for three periods was utilised. Individual metrics for digital literacy, physical health, mental health, healthy lifestyle, and integrated health indicators were assessed. The study analyzes and validates mechanisms and pathways through which digital literacy influences individual health. General and specific effects of digital literacy on various aspects of individual health were empirically explored.